Final Score: Pirates 10 Dodgers 6
Why The Pirates Won: In the first game of the series the Pirates outpitched the Dodgers and last night they outhit them. Paul Skenes had a good outing but still gave up 3 runs on 6 hits including 2 home runs, striking out 8 walking 1, taking 93 pitches to complete just 5 innings. The Pirate bullpen shakily finished the last 4 innings but fortunately the Pirate offense kept adding on after their big 7 run second inning that chased Dodger starter James Paxton. It was the middle of the lineup that shined for the Pirates last night. Olivares, Hayes, and Gonzales went 6 for 8 with 3 walks, scoring 5 runs, while driving in 6 runs. The Pirates will be going for the sweep tonight.
The Key Moments Of The Game: The Pirates ability to add on made the game a little less tense as the Dodgers tried to get back into it. The score was 7-2 in the top of the 5th when Andy Pages led off the inning with a home run. A throwing error by Nick Gonzales put a runner on first with no outs. The Pirates and Skenes caught a break when Mookie Betts was called out on strikes on a pitch that was inside. Ohtani then singled. Freddie Freeman was called out on strikes with the first pitch being outside and the 3rd strike borderline. Will Smith laced one out to right field for another hit, but Olivares played it so well that the runner could not score from second base, loading the bases. On the first pitch of the at bat Teoscar Hernandez grounded to Hayes who step on the bag and the inning was over. Skenes knew how fortunate he was as he was shaking his head coming off the mound. In the top of the 8th with score now 10-5 Shelton put in his favorite reliever Hunter (I Am Only Comfortable With A 7 Run Lead) Stratton. Sure enough, boom bam double single and it's 10-6 before you could say DFA him please. He did get the next 2 outs on the 8-9 hitters for the Dodgers but walked Mookie Betts to face Ohtani. Smart move. Shelton had finally seen enough and put Holderman in. Just to make things more interesting Holderman threw a wild pitch to put runners on 2nd and 3rd. Ohtani hit a towering drive down the right field line that Olivares caught about 3 feet short of the wall. Bednar pitched another clean 9th and the Pirates beat the Dodgers for the second time in a row.
Next Game: Tonight, Dodgers in Pittsburgh. The Pirates send Barry Falter to the mound tonight, the surprise player of the season. Don't look now but he has the lowest ERA of any Pirate starter. The Pirates are going up against Walker Buehler who has not been exactly lighting it up since his return from Tommy John surgery. The only bad news here is that with Buehler pitching Rawhide Rowdy will probably get the start. It won't be Bailey's fault if the Pirates lose. I just can't help myself. Go for the sweep Buccos.
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